Tough Enough (1982)

Synopsis: In TOUGH ENOUGH, director Richard Fleischer explores the 1980s phenomenon of "Tough Man" contests. Art Long (Dennis Quaid), an unsuccessful country singer, is tired of supporting his family as a... In TOUGH ENOUGH, director Richard Fleischer explores the 1980s phenomenon of "Tough Man" contests. Art Long (Dennis Quaid), an unsuccessful country singer, is tired of supporting his family as a tree-trimmer. He therefore decides to enter a series of brutal amateur fighting bouts, where entrants pummel each other to a bloody pulp. As Art gets sucked into the world of Tough Man boxing, he inadvertently moves farther away from the musical career he hopes to pursue. As usual, Fleischer gets the best from his actors. Dennis Quaid not only gives Art Long a believeable edge of desperation, but also sings the character's songs. Carlene Watkins conveys Caroline's care and worry at the dangerous path her husband has chosen. Warren Oates oozes seedy charm as the untrustworthy promoter, while Stan Shaw and the great Pam Grier give strong performances as two friends that Art finds at the contests. On TOUGH ENOUGH, Fleischer's director of photography was James A. Contner--who three years earlier had cut his teeth on William Friedkin's gritty CRUISING. Sometimes using a handheld camera in the ring, Fleischer and Contner capture the rough humor and excitement of the Tough Man fights with their strong but untrained and undisciplined fighters as they reveal the harsh and seedy underbelly of this violent underground culture. [More]

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Charlene Watkins, Pam Grier, Stan Shaw

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Charlene Watkins, Pam Grier, Stan Shaw, Wilford Brimley

Director: Richard Fleischer

Director: Richard Fleischer

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